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Phillies' Lee throws, feels comfortable in Clearwater

 
Published Feb. 20, 2015

CLEARWATER — Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee is confident his elbow problems from last year are behind him as he begins a new season.

Lee, 36, made 13 starts in 2014, when he went on the disabled list twice. Lee missed the final two months of the season with an elbow strain and resumed throwing in early December.

He threw a bullpen session Thursday morning at Bright House Field.

He says he feels good after having discomfort in his elbow when he began throwing in the winter. He says he gradually got more comfortable.

"It feels like a normal spring so far," Lee said. "I feel normal. I don't know if that's good or what.

"When I first started throwing a little bit it was not painful but there was just kind of something there. And this was all new to me. I didn't really know what to expect. I just kind of started throwing and getting ready and it never got worse. It's kind of progressively gotten better."

Lee is in the fifth season of a five-year, $120 million contract, putting him among the highest-paid pitchers this season. He could be an attractive trade commodity if he gets close to his production from 2008 through 2013.

"I hold myself to a pretty high standard. I hold myself accountable," Lee said. "I'm proven to me, so I don't really worry about having to prove to anybody else."

Tanaka throws: Masahiro Tanaka threw 21 pitches in his first bullpen session of the year at the Yankees' minor-league complex in Tampa. Pitchers and catchers report today for spring training. Tanaka missed 2½ months last year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two late-September starts. Neither Tanaka nor pitching coach Larry Rothschild spoke with reporters.

Cubs: A federal judge ruled that the team can move ahead with installation of outfield advertising signs and video boards that could block views into Wrigley Field from nearby rooftop businesses, rejecting the businesses' request to halt construction. The decision averts a setback in the already-delayed $375 million upgrade of the ballpark. It also means rooftop operators face the scenario of selling tickets without guaranteed views when the season opens April 5.

Pirates: Third baseman Pedro Alvarez won his arbitration case and will get $5.75 million rather than the team's $5.25 million proposal. Alvarez, 28, hit .231 and led the majors with 25 errors last season.